1856 Maine gubernatorial election

1856 Maine gubernatorial election

←  1855 September 8, 1856 1857  →

Nominee Hannibal Hamlin Samuel Wells George F. Patten Party Republican Democratic Whig Popular vote 69,574 43,628 6,554 Percentage 58.07% 36.41% 5.47%

County results Hamlin:     50–60%     60–70% Wells:     50–60%

Governor before election Samuel Wells Democratic Elected Governor Hannibal Hamlin Republican

The 1856 Maine gubernatorial election was held on September 8, 1856, in order to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Democratic governor Samuel Wells lost re-election against Republican nominee and incumbent United States senator from Maine Hannibal Hamlin. ^[1] Whig candidate George F. Patten received just over 5% of the vote amidst Hamlin's landslide.

General election

On election day, September 8, 1856, incumbent Democratic governor Samuel Wells lost re-election by a margin of 25,946 votes against his foremost opponent Republican nominee Hannibal Hamlin, thereby losing Democratic control over the office of governor to the Republicans. Hamlin was sworn in as the 26th governor of Maine on January 8, 1857. ^[2]

Results

Maine gubernatorial election, 1856

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Hannibal Hamlin	69,574	58.07
	Democratic	Samuel Wells (incumbent)	43,628	36.41
	Whig	George F. Patten	6,554	5.47
		Scattering	58	0.05
Total votes			119,814	100.00
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

1. "Gov. Hannibal Hamlin". nga.org. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
2. "ME Governor". ourcampaigns.com. April 21, 2005. Retrieved 2023-12-13.